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Disaster Cleanup Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Experienced Disaster Response Technician (Fire & Water Restoration) If you already know restoration ... This is not entry-level cleanup work. We're looking for people who understand job flow, equipment ...

Experienced Disaster Response Technician (Fire & Water Restoration) If you already know restoration ... This is not entry-level cleanup work. We're looking for people who understand job flow, equipment ...

Experienced Disaster Response Technician (Fire & Water Restoration) If you already know restoration ... This is not entry-level cleanup work . We're looking for people who understand job flow, equipment ...

Restoration Technician

Hayward, CA

$19.25 - $23.75/hr

Essel Environmental provides On-Demand Emergency and Disaster Response Personnel throughout the ... Cleanup Job Responsibilities: * Utilize hand-tools and equipment, absorbent booms and pads to ...

Restoration Technician

Hayward, CA · On-site

$19.25 - $23.75/hr

Essel Environmental provides On-Demand Emergency and Disaster Response Personnel throughout the ... Cleanup Job Responsibilities: * Utilize hand-tools and equipment, absorbent booms and pads to ...

Restoration Technician

Hayward, CA · On-site

$19.25 - $23.75/hr

Essel Environmental provides On-Demand Emergency and Disaster Response Personnel throughout the ... Cleanup Job Responsibilities: * Utilize hand-tools and equipment, absorbent booms and pads to ...

Restoration Technician

Tustin, CA · On-site

$24 - $28/hr

Training & development ServiceMaster Restore ® - Water, Fire & Disaster Recovery At ServiceMaster ... Knowledge of water damage restoration, mold remediation, or fire damage cleanup a plus * IICRC ...

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Showing results 1-20

Disaster Cleanup information

See California salary details

$28.6K

$85.9K

$174.2K

How much do disaster cleanup jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for disaster cleanup in California is $85,878.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45,900.00 and $115,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What job makes $10,000 a month without a degree?

Disaster cleanup jobs typically do not pay $10,000 a month without specialized skills or experience. High-paying roles in this field are rare and usually require certifications, physical endurance, and experience, but most earnings are below that threshold. Jobs that can reach such income levels often involve entrepreneurship, business ownership, or high-demand skilled trades rather than entry-level disaster cleanup positions.

What does a typical workday look like for someone in disaster cleanup?

A typical workday in disaster cleanup involves assessing damage, removing debris, using specialized equipment to clean and sanitize affected areas, and following strict safety procedures to handle hazardous materials. You may work both indoors and outdoors, often in environments impacted by floods, fires, storms, or other disasters. Teams coordinate closely to prioritize urgent tasks, ensuring areas are restored swiftly and safely. Flexibility is essential, as schedules can vary depending on emergency situations and response needs. Over time, you can take on more responsibility, learn advanced remediation techniques, and work toward supervisory or project management roles.

How much do disaster relief jobs pay?

Disaster cleanup jobs typically pay between $12 and $20 per hour, depending on experience, location, and the specific employer. Many positions also offer overtime pay and may require physical stamina and safety certifications. Salaries can vary widely based on the complexity of the disaster and the level of responsibility involved.

What jobs pay $2000 a day?

Disaster cleanup jobs typically do not pay $2000 a day; they usually offer hourly wages or project-based pay that are lower. High-paying roles in disaster response, such as specialized contractors or consultants with advanced skills and certifications, can reach or exceed this amount, especially for experienced professionals working on large-scale projects or emergency management teams. These roles often require extensive experience, specialized training, and sometimes licensing or certification.

How much does storm cleanup pay?

Storm cleanup workers, including disaster cleanup specialists, typically earn between $12 and $25 per hour, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of the job. Overtime and hazard pay may increase earnings, especially during severe weather events or in emergency response situations.

What is a Disaster Cleanup job?

A Disaster Cleanup job involves removing debris, water, and hazardous materials after natural disasters like hurricanes, floods, and fires. Workers clean, sanitize, and restore affected areas to ensure safety and habitability. This job may include mold remediation, structural repairs, and hazardous waste disposal. It requires physical labor, protective equipment, and sometimes specialized training.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Disaster Cleanup position, and why are they important?

To thrive in Disaster Cleanup, you need strong physical stamina, attention to detail, knowledge of safety protocols, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with personal protective equipment (PPE), specialized cleaning tools, hazardous material handling, and certifications like HAZWOPER are typically required. Dependability, teamwork, adaptability, and strong communication skills help professionals stand out in challenging environments. These qualifications are critical for maintaining safety standards, efficiently restoring affected areas, and effectively collaborating with emergency response teams.

What are the most commonly searched types of Disaster Cleanup jobs in California? The most popular types of Disaster Cleanup jobs in California are:
What job categories do people searching Disaster Cleanup jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Disaster Cleanup jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Disaster Cleanup jobs? Cities in California with the most Disaster Cleanup job openings:
Infographic showing various Disaster Cleanup job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, and 9% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $85,878 per year, or $41.3 per hour.
Lead Mitigation Technician

Lead Mitigation Technician

Alert Disaster Restoration

Hanford, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 26 days ago


Job description

Salary: $24- $32 Hourly

Lead Mitigation Technician position will be critical in cleanup and mitigation services to residential and commercial properties due to water, fire, mold, storm, or other disasters. Additionally, the role includes a support role for the Reconstruction team in an assistant capacity for Project Managers and Superintendents as needed.


Duties and Responsibilities

Lead Crews with onsite responsibilities.

Perform disaster response, emergency mitigation, water extraction, structural drying, and demolition, following IICRC standards.

Set dehumidifiers, fans, air purifiers, and other equipment at the work site, ensuring proper setup and removal.

Perform moisture mapping and loss documentation, utilizing MICA and other proprietary software.

Perform initial loss inspection.

Remove drywall, carpets, insulation, etc. and perform general demolition after a loss.

Act as daily on-site contact for the customer, ensuring their needs are met and questions are answered.

Requires being on call as the Lead Technician for the Hanford Branch Location on a rotating scheduled (every other week) after normal business hours.

Drive company vehicles, including trucks, trailers, and other machinery.

Rotated as needed into Pressure Washing Team

Reconstruction departmental responsibilities would include:

Performing minor repairs

Picking up and delivering materials

Obtaining customer signatures

Meeting subcontractors onsite for walkthroughs

Documenting subcontractor work with photos throughout the project

No Project Superintendent Responsibilities

Other duties as assigned.


Qualifications

Valid driver's license and satisfactory driving record.

Ability to perform demolition work, including climbing, working in extreme temperatures, and in confined spaces.

Ability to lift 50 lbs

IICRC Certificated in WRT and Mold preferred, not required.

Bilingual preferred, not required.


Hours: Full-Time, Monday to Friday 8am to 4:30pm (30 min lunch), optional overtime included with pre-approval from Hanford Branch Manager or as scheduled by Dispatch and Scheduling Department.

Participate on our 24 hours on call rotation, responding to emergency losses after hours and on weekends, as dictated by the on-call schedule.


Equal Opportunity & Fair Chance Statement

Alert Disaster Restoration is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Where applicable, we consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the California Fair Chance Act.


Why Alert Disaster Restoration?

High impact role with real authority
Competitive compensation with bonus upside
Strong operational support and leadership access
Growing reconstruction division
We trust experienced professionals to own their lane

At Alert, your expertise mattersand your results are visible.